1961 Map of Spruce Mountain

About this map

The convergence of three major national forests—White River National Forest, Grand Mesa National Forest, and Gunnison National Forest—defines this high-elevation landscape in the early 1960s. Surveyed just before development changed many such areas, the map documents a terrain managed for both resource extraction and seasonal grazing. The presence of Oil Well Camp and an identified Oil Well near the center of the sheet highlights the industrial activity penetrating these highlands, while the remote Buzzard Cow Camp suggests the continued importance of high-country ranching. Water management is critical in this environment, evidenced by the Gaging Station on Muddy Creek and various named springs like Cox Spring. Descriptive terrain names like The Burn, Logpile Flat, and No Good Park provide local character and insight into the historical land use and natural events that shaped these plateaus.